Las Vegas City Council is considering new rules aimed at cracking down on abuses growing out of the short-term residential rental market popularized by websites like AirBnb.
“We’re trying to protect our neighborhoods,” said Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian, speaking at a meeting at City Hall last week that drew some 300 people.
Charging with advising council on ways to toughen existing regulations, Tarkanian and Councilman Bob Coffin heard testimony from more than 35 people and took written comments from another dozen, according to local news reports.
Those speaking in favor of stricter regulations argued that investors who buy homes to rent as party houses are bringing chaos to otherwise calm neighborhoods. They complained of noise, littering and other disruptions.
Resident John Stame said as many as 40 people have packed into homes on his street in the city’s historic Downtown section. He said he has found condoms, empty beer cans and underwear in the street. Other residents described finding similar items on their properties.
“We’re destroying people who have worked hard and saved up for their homes,” Stame said. “We don’t need this in our neighborhood. There are plenty of rooms on the Strip.”
Brian Griffin, who rents out his home via AirBnb, said most of his clients are quiet and don’t throw parties. In renting to more than 125 visitors, he said, he has never had “one single problem”.
“The idea of grouping all of these together as party houses is really ridiculous.”
Tarkanian and Coffin are recommending that council place restrictions on hundreds of homes thought to be skirting a mandated 13 percent city tax paid by other rental properties. They’re also advocating for rules that would require those who intend to rent out their homes to apply for a special-use permit, along with an already-required city business license.
The permit would require placards outside short-term rentals with the phone number of a city complaint hot line for neighbors. To prevent too many short-term rentals in the same neighborhoods, they also want it required that rentals be at least 660 feet apart. And no additional parking would be allowed. And owners of homes with more than five bedrooms would have to stay with their guests.
Council is slated to take up the recommendations at their meeting on June 7.
